The step-brother of 24-year-old Maccabi cricketer Richard Ableson, who died in New York from a leukaemia-related illness in December, is running next month’s Watford Half-Marathon as a thank-you to a supportive charity.
Daniel Austin, 29, will be raising money for Camp Simcha, working to improve the lives of Jewish children with serious illnesses.
Its American sister organisation Chai Lifeline had been hugely helpful to Mr Ableson after he was diagnosed with leukaemia last summer and his mother Oriol wanted to express the family’s gratitude.
“Chai took him to and from hospital, supplied kosher meals and was there for him whenever he needed,” Mr Austin explained. “But even when he was unwell, he helped to look after and cheer up children on the ward.
“What happened to him came out of the blue. His ambition was to move to New York and study at yeshivah. He met his wife Allison and they only married in May.”
Mr Austin — who is organising his race training around his job with North London estate agency Glentree — added that his initial target had been £5,000.
But given the many friends his step-brother had made as a Belmont and Edgware cricketer, a Barnet football fan and a local election candidate for the Tories in West Finchley, he is confident that he can double the proceeds.
